Made up entirely of crystalline rocks, it’s almost shocking to learn that Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. Situated on the southeast corner of Africa, Madagascar is often described as a plateau that rises on the east coast and descends into a strip of rocks along the west coast. A cheap flight to Madagascar will land travelers among deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and two volcanic areas. Travelers booking flights to Madagascar will bask in the sun on coral beaches and swim in blue lagoons, or walk into forests and find a host of creatures waiting to welcome you, including lemurs, chameleons, geckos, tomato frogs, and jumping rats.

Madagascar is a popular tourist destination in Africa so travelers booking flights to Madagascar need to plan ahead, especially during the holiday travel periods. More adventurous travelers can find cheap flights to Madagascar during the rainy season, when heavy rainfall limits outdoor activities and the risk of cyclones is high.

Madagascar has a subtropical climate that varies according to geography and altitude. The eastern part of the country is the wettest and gets cyclones and rainstorms. The west and southwest are much hotter and drier. The coast is hot with temperatures reaching between 81 and 90 F.

Your cheap flight to Madagascar just may be the smoothest transportation of your whole trip. Buses and taxies are slow and irregular, so renting a bike is the easiest way to get around. Be careful, though, because roads are uneven and rock-strewn. In order to rent a car, you need to obtain an international drivers permit.

Antananarivo: Start your Madagascar travel with a visit to the capital city. Built on two ridges, the heart of the city is based around Avenue de l’Independance, which runs through Central Valley. Walk along cobblestones and experience the communication, economic, and agricultural hub’s French influence.

Food and Drink: The diverse food selection is the perfect way to round out your travel to Madagascar and make you feel like a local. Ro, a combination of rice and herbs, is considered a delicacy. Some common entrées you might find are Ramazava, (beef, pork, and herbs) and Foza Suhena-Kisoa (pork, crab, and rice). A popular snack to fuel you up before heading back on your Madagascar flight is called Koba – a blend of rice, banana, and seafood.

Whale Watching: Check out these underwater creatures as they drift up to the surface to greet tourists. Make your travel to Madagascar a mixture of land and sea with this naturally aesthetic experience. Humpbacks, spinners, bottlenose whales, and dolphins are among the sea life you’ll see off the coast of Antongil Bay.

Perinet: Take a stroll through a beautiful rainforest with African wildlife as your company. Eight species of indri, over a 100 species of frogs, and various types of chameleons and birds all make this a truly natural experience. Make it a nighttime activity by bringing a torch to guide your way on an evening tour.

A New England native but explorer at heart, Melisse has lived in four U.S. cities, spent a summer in Hawaii, made her way through wine-producing regions in Australia and New Zealand, and traveled around Europe while studying abroad in London. She is the Content Manager for the U.S. and Canada at Cheapflights.

In-flight reading

Muddling Through in Madagascar

Dervla MurphyA well-written and humorous book about the author’s adventures and the challenges she faced while traveling with her daughter through Madagascar in the 1980s.

Translations from the Night: Selected Poems of Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo

Jean-Joseph RabeariveloA beautiful collection of poems (translated from French) written by the most celebrated Malagasy poet Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo who was often considered the father of modern Malagasy literature.

The Sacrificed Generation: Youth, History, and the Colonized Mind in Madagascar

Lesley A. SharpAn insightful look into the lives of Malagasy youth and African children in general. The author tries to dispel assumptions that the children are helpless victims incapable of collective thought, which she proves, is far from the truth.

Vanilla: The Cultural History of the World's Favorite Flavor and Fragrance

Patricia RainFor anyone who loves vanilla this book gives a fascinating history of the origins and history of the of vanilla production in Madagascar, Mexico and Indonesia. The author, a vanilla broker, also covers other areas such as the ethical issues of synthetic vanilla.